#HEYGRRRLFRENNNS We are about to enter our SIXTH consecutive month of restarting our radical self-care journey together!! I know we must have been having a lot of fun because this time is seriously starting to fly. Before we get into today’s tea, I want to take a moment to be sappy. I am soo proud of all of us! Making the decision to pour back into yourself or to address the necessary adjustments that need to change to reach a higher level of happiness in your life is no small task. We have consistently shown up, pushed ourselves to be vulnerable, and allowed ourselves to grow for the majority of this year. My bad, I was fashionably late in January!! It doesn’t matter if this journey hasn’t looked perfect, you have chosen to move forward. You have chosen to be happy. You have chosen to prioritize yourself and your pleasure and that is something to be very proud of. Now that I have said that I need to get something else off of my chest. There is currently a heatwave on the East coast, my apartment is a crisp 500 degrees, and I’m ready to shave all of my hair off!

I am being a little bit dramatic but at the same time completely serious. Just like any other grrrl I have had a love hate relationship with my hair over the years. Our main beef with each other is that she wants to show out and look poppin when I am sitting at home with nothing to do but the minute it’s time to make something shimmy and shake outside she wanna act like she don’t know me. So this week, I want to talk about hair care as a way to distract myself from going full Britney but also to discuss how hair care can be a fun addition to your self-care routine. By turning hair care into a self-care ritual, you give yourself the chance to slow down, practice mindfulness, and show love to yourself in a tangible way. As a six month anniversary present to all the grrrlies in the building, we sat down with expert level hairstylist Mr. Aaron Quinn to get all the latest exclusives and insider information on how to elevate our haircare experience. So go ahead and let your hair down and let the grrrl talk begin!

Love To Love You

The first step to enjoying your hair care experience is to bust all the myths and limited beliefs you hold about your hair type that are preventing you from feeling amazing about yourself. There are a lot of negative influences online and in real life that create added pressure on Black women to believe that “good hair” means straight hair. “Good hair” is a divisive concept that promotes damaging beauty standards and perpetuates the idea that certain hair types, usually those that are straighter, longer, and more Eurocentric, are superior to others. Growing up, you may have been exposed to experiences or people who have reinforced this idea and made you feel like you had to change yourself or manipulate your appearance in order to fit in or be considered beautiful. There are a lot of negative influences online and in real life that create added pressure on Black women to believe that “good hair” means straight hair. The beauty industry would love for us to continue to buy into this myth (and buy into their cure-all products), but the truth is that “good hair” is as real as Santa Claus. Ho! Ho! NO! I love a silk press and a bombshell blowout just as much as the next grrrl, but I will also be the first one to tell you that there is power in embracing your natural hair. Love your hair, because it is a part of you! There is nothing inherently wrong, ugly, or bad about what naturally grows out of your head. Natural hair is beautiful and represents your unique identity. Quinn suggests finding a salon experience that prioritizes creating a self-care oasis for their clients. He recognizes that it is easy to put yourself on the back burner so giving his clients the opportunity to pamper themselves and leave their worries at the door is an important step of a successful haircare ritual.

The Royal Treatment

Learning to love your hair will not happen overnight, but it will become easier if you give it more attention, love, and care. Romanticize your hair care routine by turning it into a luxurious ritual that you will actually look forward to doing instead of a chore you’d do anything to avoid. It doesn’t take much to turn your bathroom into a spa to treat your hair like royalty. Creating this sacred time not only enhances your hair’s health but also provides a moment of self-care and relaxation. Grrrl, right now I am rocking knotless braids with goddess locs, so my current love language is greasing my scalp while I howl at the moon in pleasure. That Blue Magic go crazy! If your Team Edward, or just don’t feel like going full wolf today there are other options for creating a fun hair care experience like soothing scalp massages to stimulate circulation and promote healthy hair growth, deep conditioning masks to hydrate, or styling creams that define your curls. Also, using satin or silk scarves and pillowcases is a fashion forward way to protect your hair while you sleep, reduce friction and preventing breakage, and ensure you look extra fabulous the next day even if you are not a morning person. Speaking of protective styles, Quinn says that summer is the perfect time for rod sets, braids, twists etc. while the humidity in the summer is GREAT for the hair, it can be horrible if trying to preserve a style. Switching to something more low maintenance in the warmer months will prevent overuse of hot tools on hair that wants to be big and beautiful!

New Hair, Who Dis?

Changing up your hairstyle not only keeps things exciting but also allows you to discover what truly suits you. I am really not one to talk about mixing it up because when it comes to my hair I’m kinda a scaredy cat, BUT I recognize that switching up your look can bring a new sense of confidence. Think of your hair as a blank canvas to express yourself through! From beachy waves for that effortless summer vibe to elegant updos for special occasions, each style is an opportunity to express yourself, showcase your hair’s versatility, and let your creativity flow! In all honesty, I will probably never do anything drastic to my hair because I don’t know how to but I am not above buying the style of my dreams at the wig store although, I will say if you are going to go this route to do your research because one time I bought a wig and it literally looked like it was big enough to fit a cabbage patch doll. I ignored all the signs that I had made a critical measuring mistake and somehow managed to get it over my head… for five minutes. That thing shot across the room like cousin it chasing down a bottle of conditioner!! It is probably still in orbit to this day. Houston, we have a problem. Anyways, whether it’s through YouTube tutorials, Pinterest inspiration boards, or simply playing around with different accessories there are several different ways that you can have fun and feel good about your hair. If you are having trouble finding the right style for you, Quinn says that using social media to brainstorm ideas and scheduling a consultation with beauty pro could help you save time figuring out what would work best for your features!

Elevating your hair care experience isn’t just about achieving Instagram-worthy styles—it’s about celebrating the beauty of your unique hair texture and personality. Whether you’re rocking a bold new look or sticking to your signature style, confidence is key. Own your hair journey, embrace its natural quirks, and let your radiant energy shine through. Let’s raise our hairbrushes to a season of healthy hair and feeling fabulous. Sometimes it can feel like your hair has a mind of its own and it’s easy to get frustrated when you are not seeing the results you want. In those moments, just remember to show yourself some grace and kindness. Your hair care routine is another opportunity for you to build a closer relationship with yourself and pour loving energy back into your routine. Cheers to embracing growth, trying new things, and loving every moment of your hair journey. Here’s to unlocking your hair’s full potential and stepping into each day with hair that’s as fabulous as you are! If you need any more helpful tips, fresh advice, or wash day inspo, you can join the conversation about hair care when Grrrl, Get Real goes LIVE for our second episode of #GrrrlsNightIn🪩🍸 TONIGHT on Instagram at 8:00PM EST! Now go and be great you lil grrrly pop! TTYL!